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September 16, 2012

New Sunwayfoto Custom L Bracket PCL-1DX for Canon 1DX Preview

After the release of PCL-5DIII
Specific L Bracket for Canon 5D Mk III in June, SUNWAYFOTO is aiming to the high end professional photographers by the release of a dedicated L bracket designed specifically for the new Canon flagship Camera EOS 1D-X.

The new L bracket brags a very low weight and adopts an innovative two part design. It is expected to be in the market sometime by the end of September 2012 at a really exceptional price.

The Bracket

Manufacturer Specification:

Model:

PCL-1DX

Length:

100 mm

Width:

82 mm

Height:

110 mm

Dovetail Width:

39 mm

Mounting screw thread:

1/4"-20 UNC

Weight:

176 gr

PCL-1DX is a combined two-in-one L Bracket. The vertical part of the bracket which is retained by two M4 screws, may be removed from the horizontal part if desired, leaving the horizontal part attached on the camera. This can save some bulk and some carrying weight. The horizontal part is also sold separately as PC-1DX base plate.

PCL-1DX is precision CNC machined from aircraft-grade aluminium with high quality surface anodizing.
Convex edges both at the front and the back sides of the base plate embrace the camera bottom, preventing it from moving or twisting.
Apart from the laser engraved Sunwayfoto logo and model name on the base plate, there are two laser engraved Φ marks signifying the lens center axis both at the landscape and the portrait orientation.

A gap on the vertical side of the bracket permits the use of a remote release cord without need of moving the bracket. It is also clear that there are two M3 safety stop screws on the edges of the vertical Arca Swiss® compatible dovetail.
However, due to the gap, I feel that a longer quick release clamp would be required to support better the bracket. That is, in order to clamp the dovetail on both sides of the gap, when in the portrait position.

The side view shows clearly the convex edges on the base and the design of the vertical bracket which permits the battery to be replaced without removing the L bracket.

The bottom side reveals the Arca Swiss® compatible dovetail, two M3 safety stop screws at the edges and an extra 1/4"-20 threaded hole for use on a tripod without removing the plate.
There exists also a strap mount hole at one side in order to facilitate the attachment of a wrist strap.

Any excess material has been removed from any possible location, in order to minimize weight making it a skeleton design, while maintaining the strength of the structure.